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Valfierno · 03-29-2008, 07:35 PM

Hi everyone,

I was admitted to UT-Austin but I couldn't go to the flyout yesterday, and I just wanted to know the impressions of the people that went there yesterday. Anything you have to say would be useful.

Thanks

Valfierno · 03-30-2008, 09:22 PM

Come on, no one went to the flyout?
Please, share your thoughts and impressions with the rest of us.

Mr.Keen · 03-31-2008, 04:58 PM

I'm curious about this, too.

pevdoki1 · 03-31-2008, 05:00 PM

As am I.

Sloosh · 03-31-2008, 07:31 PM

I had an overall positive impression of the faculty, students, and city.
The faculty emphasized that they were trying to create one of the strongest public university economics graduate programs in the country, and seemed very optimistic. One professor said that UT was very strong in macro, econometrics, and theory, but was somewhat shaky in public finance and labor, although other professors seemed to suggest that labor was very strong as well. Also, some professors acknowledged that UT was not getting placements commensurate with its resources and rankings; they believe that this is just a temporary thing due to UT only becoming prominent relatively recently. I liked that they have a four-course econometrics sequence; Probability and Stats, and then Econometrics I - III. Econometrics III was described as having a very applied focus. Austin seemed like a very nice place, with every student I talked to being very positive about it. One mentioned it does get pretty hot in the summer. Hope any of this helps.

Sloosh · 03-31-2008, 08:53 PM

Incidentally, I am an admitted student with a TAship to UT. All of the students I spoke to said that TA duties were relatively light, at least in the first year, and will not be a problem in preparing for comp tests.
Also of note, the faculty emphasized a second-year paper and a third-year paper to develop research skills, writing courses in the third year, and multiple seminars that can be attended.
The students I spoke to were mostly first and second year students. Some things they told me:
- The worst thing about graduate school was the departure of students after the first and second years. They indicated that the department was not following an explicitly "weeding out" strategy towards its students.
- Nobody really attends seminars during the first year.
- A simple way to get a professor to work with you; be interested in what he or she is interested in.
Anyway, I am also considering Duke (tuition waiver, no stipend), Vanderbilt (large fellowship), UVA (waiting on funding), and UNC - Chapel Hill (large fellowship), was rejected by UCLA, and currently leaning toward attending UT - Austin.

Valfierno · 03-31-2008, 08:58 PM

Thanks Sloosh, taat's pretty good info.

Did the faculty say anything about attrition, comps, that kind of stuff?

BTW, how many prospective students attended?

Sloosh · 03-31-2008, 09:21 PM

Oh yeah, one more important piece of information, one of the recent classes at UT had a very large attrition rate. I forget the exact figure, but it was greater than 50 %. I don't know why, I am going to try to look into that more. I think an average attrition is around 50 %, but don't take my word on it.

The faculty certainly spoke on the comps at length, but I don't really know what I can say that distinguishes them from other programs. I think the faculty write the questions for the comps. The comps were the main factor driving the attrition rate. You can retake comps if you fail the first time, but you lose your funding I believe.

One thing about what I'm saying, Vanderbilt is the only other place I've visited, so I can't make precise comparisons to other institutions.

About 25 prospective students attended. Most also had positive impressions of UT, but were also strongly considering Duke, BU, UIUC, Wisconsin, and some other places.

I actually ended up hanging out with a few other recruits back at the hotel, but it seemed like there was a pretty awesome nightlife.

pevdoki1 · 03-31-2008, 09:27 PM

50% attrition + losing funding if you don't pass the first time would be a good enough reason for me not to go.

Sloosh · 03-31-2008, 09:41 PM

This thread seems to have some good discussion.

HTML Code:

http://www.urch.com/forums/phd-economics/87227-texas-austin-funding-second-year.html

To clarify what I said earlier, apparently you're funding is safe if you pass one of the two prelims. Failing both on the first try puts you in danger of losing your funding.

Some students on the flyout mentioned outside fellowships, and opportunities to work in other departments. Can't say anything really about this.

03-29-2008, 07:35 PM	#1 (permalink)
Valfierno Within my grasp! Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 104	Impressions on UT-Austin flyout Hi everyone, I was admitted to UT-Austin but I couldn't go to the flyout yesterday, and I just wanted to know the impressions of the people that went there yesterday. Anything you have to say would be useful. Thanks

03-31-2008, 05:00 PM	#4 (permalink)
pevdoki1 Preparing for MN winters Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 637	As am I. _ _ _ _ SIG _ _ _ _ "Since it befalls, that in most instances Current opinion leans to false: and then Affection bends the judgment to her ply." Dante Alighieri

03-31-2008, 09:27 PM	#9 (permalink)
pevdoki1 Preparing for MN winters Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 637	50% attrition + losing funding if you don't pass the first time would be a good enough reason for me not to go. _ _ _ _ SIG _ _ _ _ "Since it befalls, that in most instances Current opinion leans to false: and then Affection bends the judgment to her ply." Dante Alighieri

03-31-2008, 09:41 PM	#10 (permalink)
Sloosh Trying to make mom and pop proud Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 10	This thread seems to have some good discussion. HTML Code: http://www.urch.com/forums/phd-economics/87227-texas-austin-funding-second-year.html To clarify what I said earlier, apparently you're funding is safe if you pass one of the two prelims. Failing both on the first try puts you in danger of losing your funding. Some students on the flyout mentioned outside fellowships, and opportunities to work in other departments. Can't say anything really about this.

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03-30-2008, 09:22 PM	#2 (permalink)
Valfierno Within my grasp! Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 104	Come on, no one went to the flyout? Please, share your thoughts and impressions with the rest of us.

03-31-2008, 04:58 PM	#3 (permalink)
Mr.Keen The Fire! Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 614	I'm curious about this, too.

03-31-2008, 07:31 PM	#5 (permalink)
Sloosh Trying to make mom and pop proud Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 10	I had an overall positive impression of the faculty, students, and city. The faculty emphasized that they were trying to create one of the strongest public university economics graduate programs in the country, and seemed very optimistic. One professor said that UT was very strong in macro, econometrics, and theory, but was somewhat shaky in public finance and labor, although other professors seemed to suggest that labor was very strong as well. Also, some professors acknowledged that UT was not getting placements commensurate with its resources and rankings; they believe that this is just a temporary thing due to UT only becoming prominent relatively recently. I liked that they have a four-course econometrics sequence; Probability and Stats, and then Econometrics I - III. Econometrics III was described as having a very applied focus. Austin seemed like a very nice place, with every student I talked to being very positive about it. One mentioned it does get pretty hot in the summer. Hope any of this helps.

03-31-2008, 08:53 PM	#6 (permalink)
Sloosh Trying to make mom and pop proud Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 10	Incidentally, I am an admitted student with a TAship to UT. All of the students I spoke to said that TA duties were relatively light, at least in the first year, and will not be a problem in preparing for comp tests. Also of note, the faculty emphasized a second-year paper and a third-year paper to develop research skills, writing courses in the third year, and multiple seminars that can be attended. The students I spoke to were mostly first and second year students. Some things they told me: - The worst thing about graduate school was the departure of students after the first and second years. They indicated that the department was not following an explicitly "weeding out" strategy towards its students. - Nobody really attends seminars during the first year. - A simple way to get a professor to work with you; be interested in what he or she is interested in. Anyway, I am also considering Duke (tuition waiver, no stipend), Vanderbilt (large fellowship), UVA (waiting on funding), and UNC - Chapel Hill (large fellowship), was rejected by UCLA, and currently leaning toward attending UT - Austin.

03-31-2008, 08:58 PM	#7 (permalink)
Valfierno Within my grasp! Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 104	Thanks Sloosh, taat's pretty good info. Did the faculty say anything about attrition, comps, that kind of stuff? BTW, how many prospective students attended?

03-31-2008, 09:21 PM	#8 (permalink)
Sloosh Trying to make mom and pop proud Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 10	Oh yeah, one more important piece of information, one of the recent classes at UT had a very large attrition rate. I forget the exact figure, but it was greater than 50 %. I don't know why, I am going to try to look into that more. I think an average attrition is around 50 %, but don't take my word on it. The faculty certainly spoke on the comps at length, but I don't really know what I can say that distinguishes them from other programs. I think the faculty write the questions for the comps. The comps were the main factor driving the attrition rate. You can retake comps if you fail the first time, but you lose your funding I believe. One thing about what I'm saying, Vanderbilt is the only other place I've visited, so I can't make precise comparisons to other institutions. About 25 prospective students attended. Most also had positive impressions of UT, but were also strongly considering Duke, BU, UIUC, Wisconsin, and some other places. I actually ended up hanging out with a few other recruits back at the hotel, but it seemed like there was a pretty awesome nightlife.

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